Mt. Etna Northern Summit Trek: Explore Ancient Craters and Recent Lava Flows at 3300mt
4.9
82 Ratings
Città metropolitana di Catania
Embark on a thrilling trek to the northern summit of Mt. Etna, exploring ancient craters and recent lava flows. Experience the grandeur of this extraordinary volcanic environment and enjoy panoramic views from the roof of Sicily.
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Mount Etna - Schedule

Appointment at the Chiosco Bar Mareneve, at Piano Provenzana, 1800 mt at: 7:45am or at: 1:15pm

Departures planned at 8:00am and 1:30pm
Expected return at 1.30pm and 6.00pm (approximately)

Ascent with special off-road vehicles from Piano Provenzana.

Arrival at a height of 2825 mt.

Start of the walking tour in total 4 km up to the Summit Craters of Etna at 3300 meters

Descent on terrain made up of sand and slag to an altitude of 2825m

Downhill with special off-road vehicles from an altitude of 2825 mt to Piano Provenzana at 1800 mt.

Total time of the trekking trail: 4,5 hours

Total kilometres: 7,5 (it may vary)

Maximum altitude reached: 3300 mt.

Minimum altitude reached: 2825 mt.

Total climb uphill: 470 mt (it may vary)

Total climb downhill: 470 mt (it may vary)

Difficulty: E (Excursionists- For hikers used to walking at high altitudes)

What's Included
  • Comprehensive accident insurance
  • Safety with protective helmets
  • Quality trekking gear included
  • Expert Volcanological Guide
What's Not Included
  • Off road vehicle (from 1800mt to 2825mt round trip): 70 Euro per person to be paid on the spot
  • K-way (rain jacket), hat and gloves (during autumn, winter and spring)
  • Parking ticket (3 Euro full day)
  • Transport service from your accomodation
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Departures from Piano Provenzana are scheduled with off-road transportations, taking the scenic route up to the northern face of Mt. Etna, traversing old craters and fresh lava streams to reach up to the 2825 mt mark. From here, a foot journey commences (covering a 470mt positive altitude difference), walking through a trail surrounded by volcanic debris and cinders until reaching the Central Crater at an altitude of 3300 mt, where a pause will be taken to marvel at the majestic, unique, and ongoing phenomena of this unique volcanic landscape, along with the breathtaking view from Sicily’s apex (the visibility is subject to change based on weather or volcanic conditions). The descent retraces the same route, with the final stretch navigated inside small channels created by soft and crumbly volcanic cinders, which provide an easy footing provided that necessary precautions are taken, until reaching a point at 2825 mt where off road vehicles will bring us back to Piano Provenzana.

  • For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guides know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problem and to avoid any risks.
  • We recommend not to use contact lenses, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
  • This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular disease (it is strongly discouraged to those who suffer from cardio-vascular problems, breathing problems or hypertension).
  • The excursion is not suited for children under 12 years old
  • The excursion will be carried out according to the limits laid down by the ordinance in force.
  • The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.
  • It is required also to be careful, since it is volcanic soil, often inconsistent and unstable.
  • The excursion requires a good preparation on a physical level. Because of it results to be a high height path, it would be easy to experience symptoms of fatigue.
  • Trekking is not recommended for those who does not do physical activity regularly.
Location
CHIOSCO BAR MARENEVE DI FERRARO
Via Provenzana
The meeting point is located in the parking lot near the active chairlift at Eta Nord in winter. The bar is the second house of the 4 present in the parking lot. Please note that our meeting point is the "Chiosco Bar Mareneve" not the "Chiosco Bar Etna Nord".
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(82 Ratings)
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Silvanos233
Jul 11, 2024
FANTASTICO!! - Carried out the hike on July 9, a couple of days after the last paroxysm. Highly professional and prepared guides to accompany us to the crater mouth at 3300 mlm. Approach trekking accessible to all and we recommend the use of high shoes. Spectacular view of the volcano from that position and altitude. The force that demonstrates nature in that place is disruptive. Highly recommended for those who have a minimum of familiarity with low difficulty mountain trekking.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Florentinb317
Jul 10, 2024
Super - Great excursion, with our Domenico Guide who spoke good French. We were in a small group of 10 French. We had the chance to access the top of the crater and see 2 explosions. Very well organized, Guide listening to everyone and goes at an adapted pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Neildv877ti
Jul 2, 2024
Bucket List! - Brilliant, do it if you're reasonably fit. We maybe got lucky as strombolic activity started 6 days before our hike, so we saw actual eruptions (fire and rocks!), but worth it even without that. We are 59 and 61 and were worried initially at the physicality of it and the reduction in effective oxygen at that height. My partner faltered at one point but a motivational talk helped her on and she didn't regret it!. Great guides with multiple languages, you're hiking for over 3 hours but at least you get to wee on a volcano!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valentinac194
Jul 1, 2024
Show beyond all expectations - An amazing day, we had Andrea as our guide and we were only 7 people in total on Etna. A real unexpected private view. Already to tell it like this seems pure magic if you then add the eruption, Andrea's stories about the formation of any crater, rock, plant and curiosity that we might have perhaps managed to imagine what we experienced. We have seen the birth of a new crater that rumbles, puffs, thunders and magma that tries to force its way out into the sky and throws stones at meters and meters high. The wonderful climate sun and heat, we enjoyed a spectacle of nature with all the senses to a thousand... Really hard to describe emotions. The spectacular return the descent into the sand and with Andrea, always attentive, we went down which is a wonder. An applause also to Giacomo, our driver, who also stopped to make us take pictures of the craters that you see along the route that formed in 2002. What about, if you read this far you understood that we lived a 'unique and perfect experience. Highly recommended 🤗 PS: Karen at the time of booking cute and super accurate in passing the information Ps2: thanks Etna also for greeting with the smoke circle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandrafi1125pc
Jul 1, 2024
Very impressive, recommended! - Great tour, how are still thrilled! Very well and safely managed, attention is paid to good equipment and health of the participants. If necessary, missing equipment will be borrowed. That was very impressive, thank you for the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lorelie_r
Jun 30, 2024
Incredible tour up the North side of Mt. Etna! - We chose the afternoon ascent and it was really memorable! Our guides (Andreo and Nikos) were excellent and professional, as was the driver for the mid section of the mountain :) We were really fortunate have clear views and to see two craters releasing material - amazing to see! To experience these kinds of forces of nature (pyroclastic activity, wind, etc.) was phenomenal. We highly recommend taking the time to experience Mt.Etna from the north side with this tour operator - just excellent!
Review provided by Viator
V4608sgtoml
Jun 27, 2024
Great experience - Beautiful trekking, impressive and really worth the cost! Still asks to be in good physical condition, the ascent is quite short but beautiful elevation gain. Thanks to our Poldo guide, very nice and exciting explanations in French!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lenk140
Jun 26, 2024
Sensationeel! - Very professional and safe despite a temporary activity volcano! Impressive experience and educational! You must have done that! Hard climb though...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gianniv700
Jun 25, 2024
Perfect ethnic experience - Beautiful experience, fantastic crater view, excellent organization with explanations about the volcano in various languages
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yoog2017
Jul 25, 2024
Great tour, nice guide but questionable booking methods - First of all: we had a great tour, a well-informed and nice, entertaining guide and a tour where our kiddies struggled more than ever with 4 h of hiking. Instead of the booked summit tour we were dropped off at 2,800 m and hiked back, past the old craters and along entertaining paths with lots of information about the geology and structure of volcanoes. What annoyed me a lot: as visitors to tours like this, we rely on information available online or in guidebooks and are always looking forward to reputable providers like Guide Vulcanologiche Etna. We were all the more disappointed that despite the closure of the main crater, which had already been in place for days (and is expected for more months according to the guide), all tours to the summit are still displayed as available and sold diligently, only to change them at short notice on the day of the tour. This is untrustworthy and should also be prevented urgently by platforms such as TripAdvisor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
August 2024
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